I say to you once more: the
dauphin is dead, long live the dauphin!"
"Papa king," said the boy, quickly, "you say the dauphin is dead,
and has left us. Has he taken every thing away with him that belongs
to him?"
"No, my son, he has left every thing. You are now the dauphin, and
some time will be King of France, for you are the heir of your
brother."
"What does that mean, his heir?" asked the child.
"It means," answered the king, "that to you belong now the titles
and honors of your brother."
"Nothing but that?" asked the prince, timidly. "I do not want his
titles and honors."
"You are the heir to the throne; you have now the title of Dauphin
of France."
The little one timidly grasped the hand of his mother, and lifted
his great blue eyes supplicatingly to her.
"Mamma queen," he whispered, "do you not think the title of Duke de
Normandy sounds just as well, or will you love me more, if I am
called Dauphin of France?"
"No, my son," answered the queen, "I shall not love you better, and
I should be very happy if you were now the Duke de Normandy."
"Then, mamma," cried the boy, eagerly, "I am not at all glad to
receive this new title. But I should like to know whether I have
received any thing else from my dear sick brother."
"Any thing else?" asked the king in amazement; "what would you
desire, my child?"
The little prince cast down his eyes.
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